Grappling Technique

fixitman123 · Mar 13, 2016

Have just started using my grapple to move some brush we are clearing and am having trouble getting a full load. I seem to remember reading about "rolling the pile" or something on that order. What techniques do people use to get the most brush possible in a load? Thanks

4570Man · Mar 13, 2016

It's hard to explain. I wish I could post a video directly to this site. I push it up in a pile the best I can and then simultaneously lift the loader up, curl the grapple down, and move the tractor forward. It sounds complicated, but is really pretty easy.

oosik · Mar 13, 2016

If you are new to grapple use - break the steps down as 4570man explains. Open the grapple wide and tilt it slightly forward so only the tips of the lower jaw touch the ground. Move forward and collect/push the branches into a pile. Now, with the lower jaw still on the ground, rotate the grapple forward and over the pile. Drop the grapple so both top & bottom jaw tips touch the ground. With both tips touching the ground, slowly close the jaws.

Like any implement - time and practice will improve your skills. And as 4570man says - a short video would make all this verbiage unnecessary.

Gordon Gould · Mar 13, 2016

I am usually picking bush that is spread out from limbing trees. I set the bottom teeth to lightly rake the ground at a shallow angle and push ahead into the brush with the grapple wide open of course.. Adjust the grapple height for terrain changes as you go so you don't dig in to much but you rake up the brush. When you get a good pile pushed up in front start to lift and dump so your grapple is coming up over the top of the pile but the bottom teeth are still raking the ground. Come to a stop when you are not increasing the bite, close the grapple on it and go. If you can push into something like a tree to make the brush pile up you can compress the brush and get a better bite.

gg